Château Beausejour Duffau 2018

Nestled on both the plateau and the hillside, with a South/South-West facing exposure, in one of the most remarkable sites of the appellation, the 6.80-hectare vineyard of Beauséjour takes on the air of a garden set upon the limestone bedrock. Belonging to the Duffau-Lagarrosse family since 1847, Beauséjour changed hands in April 2021, marking the fortuitous meeting of two families. Prisca Courtin, the granddaughter of Jacques Courtin, creator of Clarins cosmetics, and Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse, the ninth generation, now helm the estate. They have assembled a new, dynamic, and talented team, including Axel Marchal and Julien Viaud, to enhance the exceptional terroir.

Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse has entered an exciting new era under the ownership of Joséphine Duffau Lagarrosse and Prisca Courtin. Since assuming control in 2021, they have implemented transformative changes that have rejuvenated the estate and redefined its winemaking philosophy.

With a fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to quality, Joséphine Duffau Lagarrosse and Prisca Courtin have assembled a talented team and established collaborations with rising oenologists. Their collective expertise and shared vision aim to unlock the most authentic and vibrant expression of the property's exceptional terroir.

Reflecting their innovative spirit, the dynamic duo decided to simplify the estate's name to Beauséjour while proudly including "J. Duffau-Lagarrosse" on the label as a nod to its esteemed co-owner and lasting legacy. This harmonious blend of tradition and modernity exemplifies the estate's evolution and commitment to upholding values.

Embracing this fresh chapter in its history, Beauséjour unveils its new visual identity, a testament to its enduring legacy and contemporary outlook. The revitalized design celebrates the estate's rich heritage while embracing the present. The visual elements that define Beauséjour remain intact, representing its recognizable DNA while embodying the team's forward-thinking vision for the estate's future.

This exciting transformation sets the stage for the release of Beauséjour's 2022 vintage, showcasing the dedication of the team and the estate's ongoing pursuit of excellence. Each bottle now offers a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and a bright future as Beauséjour continues to captivate palates and leave an indelible mark in the world of wine.

''The 10th vintage under the Nicolas Thienpont team, and as it has turned out the penultimate one. Impossible to leave out of my top 50 for laying down because this is easily one of the wines of the vintage, and should form part of any cellar that is looking to reflect the best of 2018. Black cherry and damson fruit roll out layer upon layer, with slate, crushed rocks and baked earth ensuring the progress through the palate is slow and steady, with mouthwatering freshness building up as you go. It's serious and needs time, but it's fantastic, and takes you right inside this discreet corner of the St Emilion limestone plateau. Half the normal yield, down in the mid-20hl/h.'' Jane Anson, Best Pomerol 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur (09/20/2021) Ratings: 100 Drink: 2028-2048

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse comes prancing out of the glass with the most gorgeous perfume of plum preserves, kirsch, redcurrant jelly and red roses, followed by suggestions of molten licorice, raspberry leaves, oolong tea and iron ore, with a waft of forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black and red berry preserves layers, framed by fantastically plush tannins and a seamless backbone, finishing long and earthy. A wine of impeccable poise and polish, it is delicious now, but allow it 3-4 years in bottle to really fan its feathers and drink it over the next 20 years or more." Lisa Perrotti-Brown The Wine Advocate (4/22/2021) Ratings: 97 Drink: 2024-2044

"While the 2018 Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) doesn't match the 2009 or 2016, it's certainly not far off. I wish every reader could taste this beautiful, age-worthy Saint-Emilion, and they should certainly have bottles in the cellar. Coming from a gorgeous hillside terroir of clay and limestone soils outside of Saint-Emilion and a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it reveals a dense purple hue as well as classic Saint-Emilion minerality in its cassis and blue fruits as well as notes of damp earth, truffle, tobacco, and spring flowers. With full-bodied richness, a concentrated, backward, structured mouthfeel, lots of tannins, and just a brilliant mix of richness and elegance, it needs a good 5-7 years in the cellar and will have 40-50 years of prime drinking." - Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, Rating: 97, Maturity: 2026-2076